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ROCKETS CLAIM BIG Hash: Bean there, done that NORTHERN WEST CONTEST GIRLS BASKETBALL, B1
FOOD, A9-10
dailyGAZETTE Wednesday, January 6, 2016
SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854
ROCK FALLS
City parts ways with partner Group says that despite end of pact, there’s still a chance that opportunity could knock BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
ROCK FALLS – The window of opportunity may have closed between the city and its partner in economic development, but the group isn’t closing the door on continuing its mission. Fourteen years and hundreds of thousands of dollars later, the city on Tuesday formalized in writing the beginning of the
end of its relationship with the Rock Falls Community Development Corp., a notfor-profit group that’s worked to help create economic opportunities for the city since 2002. The City Council voted to approve a resolution that effectively terminates its financial agreement with the group. Had the pact not been broken, it would have been automatically renewed on its expiration date of April 30. The group had relied primarily on the
$100,000 a year it received from the city to operate. The office at 309 First Ave. has only two paid employees – Executive Director Randy Balk and Program Director Gayla Kolb. Balk said the future of the organization is still being considered by its board members. He said there are some options that are being looked at, but he is not yet at liberty to discuss them. DEVELOPMENT CONTINUED ON A5
Next meeting The Rock Falls City Council next meets at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 19, at City Hall, 603 W. 10th St. The agendas will be posted at rockfalls61071.com and at City Hall. Call 815-622-1100 for more information. The council meeting also airs live on Channel 5.
EDUCATION
CRIME | SAUK VALLEY
Hooked on books
Rock Falls man arrested in stabbing
A new program at Dixon’s Jefferson Elementary School is getting students to turn the page instead of turn the channel
Woman stabbed 30 times BY ANGEL SIERRA asierra@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5695 @_angelsierra
ROCK FALLS – A Rock Falls man is in Whiteside County Jail, accused of stabbing a woman 30 times with a pair of scissors, causing life-threatening injuries. Christian L. Bowman, 30, is charged with aggravated battery, punishable by 2 to 5 years in prison, and one count of misdemeanor battery. Bond was set at $100,000 Tuesday afternoon, and a public defender was appointed. His preliminary hearing is Jan. 11. Bowman was arrested about 11 a.m. Monday at the home the two share in the 400 block of West 19th Street. Officers found the woman lying in a pool of blood with a pair of scissors in her hand, Assistant State’s Attorney Jennifer Kelly said at a bond hearing Tuesday. He is accused of “knowingly” causing “great bodily harm” to the woman by repeatedly stabbing her, court documents state. STABBING CONTINUED ON A5
Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com
Brooklyn Smith, 8, sits with her books and tablet at her family’s home in Dixon. The Jefferson Elementary School third-grader admits books didn’t use to hold her attention, and now she’s one of the most voracious readers in her class. BY CHRISTOPHER HEIMERMAN cheimerman@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5523 @CHeimerman_SVM
Dorry’s story Learn more about Dorry Kingry, thirdgrade teacher at Jefferson Elementary School in Dixon, in SV Weekend, coming Saturday.
DIXON – Mike Smith describes his daughter, Brooklyn, as “self-driven and very competitive.” But when it came to reading, the motivation used to be lacking. “It just kind of didn’t keep my attention,” said Brooklyn, 8, a third-grader at Jefferson Elementary School. Her big sister, Sarah, always has been a bookworm. But it wasn’t until Brooklyn met her teacher, Dorry Kingry, and her veritable treasure trove of books that she got hooked on books. BOOKS CONTINUED ON A5
Mr. and Mrs. Claus – make that, Smith – deliver a tablet ...
“ $1.00
TODAY’S EDITION: 20 PAGES 2 SECTIONS VOL. 162 ISSUE 19
INDEX
Brooklyn: “It was in a box, and I was like, ‘What’s in it?’ Then I opened it, and was like, ‘Oh, my gosh.’” Audrey: “And then we didn’t see her the rest of the day.”
ABBY ................... A8 BUSINESS ......... A10 COMICS ............... A7
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CROSSWORD....B10 FOOD ..............A9-10 LIFESTYLE ........... A8
Accused murderer seeks reduction in $1 million bond BY KATHLEEN A. SCHULTZ kschultz@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5535 @KathleenSchul10
DIXON – One of three men charged with first-degree murder in the 1983 death of a Peoria man is seeking a reduction in his $1 million bond. Gordon K. Bobell, 65, of Chillicothe, was to have had a preliminary hearing this morning in Lee County Court, but the hearing has been moved to next Wednesday to allow for the bond reduction hearing, court records show. His brother, Terry E. Bobell, 68, of Chillicothe, also was to have his preliminary hearing this morning. His bond also is set at $1 million.
LOTTERY ............. A2 OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6
REDUCTION CONTINUED ON A5
Today’s weather High 35. Low 30. More on A3.
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Gordon Bobell
Terry Bobell
Need work? Check out your classifieds, B6.